METHOD FOR PREPARING AN IMPLANTABLE CONTROLLED GENE OR PROTEIN DELIVERY DEVICE

• US 20100179609A1
• Filed: 03/25/2010
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey Ross, Steven D. Girouard
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey Ross, Steven D. Girouard
• Inventors: Girouard, Steven D., Ross, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,346,356 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/9
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/306 Arrangements where at least part of the apparatus is introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 29/00 Non-central analgesic, antipyretic or antiinflammatory agents, e.g. antirheumatic agents; Non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAID]
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/04 Antibacterial agents
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/12 Antivirals
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 7/02 Antithrombotic agents; Anticoagulants; Platelet aggregation inhibitors
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/00 Drugs for disorders of the cardiovascular system
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/02 Non-specific cardiovascular stimulants, e.g. drugs for syncope, antihypotensives
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/04 Inotropic agents, i.e. stimulants of cardiac contraction; Drugs for heart failure
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/06 Antiarrhythmics
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/08 Vasodilators for multiple indications
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/10 for treating ischaemic or atherosclerotic diseases, e.g. antianginal drugs, coronary vasodilators, drugs for myocardial infarction, retinopathy, cerebrovascula insufficiency, renal arteriosclerosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 9/12 Antihypertensives

Abstract

An implantable system which includes a gene/protein delivery device and a pulse generator, as well as method of preparing the gene/protein delivery device and using the system, are provided. In one embodiment, the implantable system detects a predetermined condition or event and, in response, delivers gene(s) and/or protein(s) in conjunction with delivering pacing and/or defibrillation pulses.

Claims

1. A method to prepare an implantable gene or protein delivery device including isolated nucleic acid which encodes at least one gene product or binds at least one selected mRNA in a mammal or isolated protein, comprising:

introducing to a physiologically compatible polymer matrix, or combining physiologically compatible monomers suitable to form a polymeric matrix and, the isolated nucleic acid or isolated protein so as to yield an implantable gene or protein delivery device, wherein the isolated nucleic acid or protein is selected so as to prevent, inhibit or treat a cardiac condition in a mammal, and wherein the rate of release of the nucleic acid or protein from the device is capable of being controlled by an electric signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the implantable gene or protein delivery device is electrically wired to an implantable device having a sensor to sense a physiological signal indicative of a predetermined cardiac condition;

an event detector, coupled to the sensor, to detect the predetermined cardiac condition from the physiological signal;

an implant telemetry module to receive an external command; and

an implant controller including a gene or protein delivery control module configured to produce an electrical signal to control iontophoretic gene or protein delivery in response to the external command.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid or protein is selected to prevent, inhibit or treat atrial fibrillation, heart failure, ventricular fibrillation, ischemia, brachycardia or hyperplasia.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid is present on one or more vectors.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vectors are DNA vectors.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vectors are viral vectors.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more vectors are plasmid vectors.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the nucleic acid includes morpholino modified nucleotides.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one gene product or protein is a connexin.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one gene product or protein is an atrial-specific ion channel protein.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the gene product or protein is associated with I_f.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one gene product or protein is a non-specific ion channel protein.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the gene product or protein is associated with I_K1, I_CaL, I_to, I_Kr, I_Kur, I_KATP, I_Na or I_Na/Ca.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one gene product or protein regulates gap junctions.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one gene product or protein alters conduction in the myocardium.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the protein is or the nucleic acid encodes a regulatory protein that blocks ion channels, upregulates ion channels, down-regulates ion channels, or alters ion channel kinetics.

17. The method of claim 2, further comprising an implantable lead system including one or more leads.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein the implantable device further comprises a pacing circuit coupled to the implant controller, and wherein the implant controller includes a pacing control module adapted to control a delivery of pacing pulses in conjunction with the release of the nucleic acid or protein.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the implantable gene or protein delivery device comprises an epicardial patch including the polymer matrix.

20. An implantable gene or protein delivery device prepared by the method of claim 1.